April 7th, Rome: World Memorial Day for father-victims of suicide

April 3, 2007, World Fathers Union News Service---The Italian fathers group Figli Negati ('Children Denied') is organising an international memorial gathering in Rome on Saturday, April 7th.

The seventh of April is being designated World Memorial Day, a day of remembrance in honour of separated fathers who have fallen victim to suicide. According to Figli Negati director Giorgio Ceccarelli, European Union statistics show that last year in the 27 countries of the EU (pop. 463 million) close to 2,000 fathers committed suicide after being separated from their children. Suicide amongst fathers suffering from acute and debilitating depression in the wake of lengthy and unsuccessful custody battles is a serious problem in many countries worldwide, according to numerous studies.

April 7 is a symbolic date, says Mr Ceccarelli, because it is the anniversary of the day that Andrea Sonatore, a high school teacher in the northern Italian town of Aosta, immolated himself on the steps of the Aosta Court House after the judge cut off access to his daughter. 2007 marks the eleventh anniversary of Mr Sonatore's death.

Last year, memorial vigils were held in several Italian cities, including Rome, Milan, Caserta, and Palermo. The well-known playwright and Nobel Prize Laureate, Dario Fo, attended the vigil in Milan in 2006.

This year's memorial will be held in Rome, from 9:30am to 1:30pm, at the Piazza di Spagna. Further information is available from Giorgio Ceccarelli at Figli Negati.